I Went to the Woods

Carson Keys was born and raised in Fairbanks. In this episode we talk about leaving the state and returning. We also discuss making the most out of opportunities, favorite hunts, rain gear, and the role of advocacy groups like Safari Club International where he works. 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.

Joey Karlik grew up in Ketchikan ('18) and is a graduate of Texas ('22). After college Joey worked at Popeye's, then a mailroom and is now an assistant at a talent agency that represents comedians. In this episode we discuss his creative journey so far, favorite movies, remakes, sequels and the short film he finished and submitted to festivals this year. 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.

Tyler Freel is a Fairbanks resident, sheep hunting veteran, gun enthusiast and staff writer for Outdoor Life. In this episode we talk about all of the above and dive into hunter access issues despite Alaska being 90% public. 

Brayden and Degan Linne recap their Southeast Alaska August hunting adventures. We discuss hunting in the heat, crowded fly outs, gear, finding bucks and the best time of day to find bucks. 

Sena and Rich Wheeler join me to talk about Sena Sea Wild Alaska Fish and 60 North Seafoods, their commercial fishing business (based out of Cordova) that encapsulates all levels of a fish sale, from catching and processing to selling and shipping. We talk about the current state of salmon runs, proper care and battling Lower 48 stereotypes regarding farmed fish. 

Harrison Gottschling recaps his opening day walk-in sheep hunt and we discuss expectations, isolation and slowing down. 

Freelance writer Katie Hill and I discuss her start in the outdoor writing industry, the importance of nuance in the hunting conversation, hunters as "environmentalists" but not the antagonistic variety, influencers, authenticity and stories she likes to write. Katie has written for Meateater, Outdoor Life and is the managing editor of The Westrn. She was the National Deer Association's youngest and first female Signpost Communicator of the Year in 2023. 

Ryan and I recap the mixed results we had on our blacktail deer opening hunts. We discuss hunting in the heat, positioning, water, losing gear, lucky bucks and unexpectedly deploying bear spray. 

Ryan John and I preview the beginning of the alpine hunting season in Southeast Alaska. We discuss scouting, physical fitness, tactics, coping with the rain, choosing camp locations and morning routines on the mountain.

Tonya Busse grew up in Klawock and now teaches in Jamaica. In this episode we discuss her king salmon, triathlons, being active after high school and unruly children on planes.